Journalist and author Franz Alt argues that key statements in the New Testament cannot authentically be traced back to Jesus. He bases this view on Aramaic source texts that were examined and reconstructed by the theologian Günther Schwarz, among others. By learning Aramaic and analyzing Old Syriac texts, Schwarz concluded that Jesus regarded rebirth and reincarnation as self-evident. Alt also points to indications from Jewish theologians that the concept of rebirth was widespread in Judaism during the time of Jesus, but was later lost in Christianity, partly due to translation errors and decisions made by the Church.
As an example of faulty transmission, Alt cites the Lord’s Prayer, particularly the phrase “lead us not into temptation,” which he believes is more accurately rendered from Aramaic as “lead us in temptation.” This interpretation was also taken up by Pope Francis, after which several bishops’ conferences adjusted their translations. Alt criticizes that church traditions often take precedence over the original teachings of Jesus and refers to structural issues such as the exclusion of women from church offices. He sees early Christianity, especially under the influence of Mary Magdalene, as having a different role for women and a more open doctrine that was later altered by church dogma.
To support his arguments, Alt cites various biblical passages that mention “rebirth,” such as in the Gospel of John and the letters of Peter, as well as statements by early Church Fathers like Origen, who described a sequence of multiple lives. He also refers to historical decisions such as church councils in which certain teachings were excluded, and to the influence of political power on theology since the time of Emperor Constantine. In addition to religious sources, Alt mentions modern experiential reports, such as those of the death researcher Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, who, based on numerous observations of dying individuals, concluded that rebirth occurs, and he notes that around 25 percent of the population in Germany believes in reincarnation.